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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

First Off, Happy New Year! And welcome to the new members of Romance Eh, Canadian Style, Leah Braemel, Kali Willows, Deb Cooke, Kayleigh Malcolm!

Okay. I've joined Tsu (pronounced Sue). Not another social media place! *groan* So why join? I really can't stand Facebook, never did. There, the truth.(If you like it and it works for you, yay!) Also, I don't like the fact Facebook follows my every move and decides what content I should see, demanding I socialize more if I want to see more people in my newsfeed.

First off, I'm a writer. I write. I don't spend huge chunks of my time on any social media. Its a few minutes here and there during the run of a day. Also, who has time to interact with all your 'friends'? I have 3100 on FB. Its impossible. So people dropped out of my newsfeed into a black hole never to be heard of again.

I recently deleted a whole ton of photos from Facebook and was shocked to see how much interaction there was when I first joined in 2011. Photos I posted would have 80 likes, 40 comments. Then around 2013, it all changed. FB monetized, tweaked their algorithms, and interaction dwindled to nothing. In 2014, it worsened.

I see now having too many friends is quite insane. No normal person with a job and a life can keep up with it all. Yes, I know Facebook is a social site, not a place to sell your books, and Facebook will be pounding that point home starting this month when they will supposedly start cracking down on any posts that smack of promotion or selling something (on profiles, I mean) FB wants that limited to pages.

Fair enough. But out of 2050 likes, only 24 people see my post on my page. Facebook's answer to this is "Buy an ad!" That tears it.

And its the reason I am trying Tsu. I've seen people curl their lip in disdain over the concept, calling it a pyramid scheme, and in a way it is. The more you share, comment, like, interact, etc... the more money you make. I don't give a tinker's dam about making money on a social media site. (I've made 9 cents so far, *snort*) If it's something you would like to try, have at it.

All I want out of Tsu? To have everyone I am 'friends' with to see everything I post, and I in turn, want to see everything they post. That's it. Simple.

There are some limits. (pictured left) As there should be. The interface is much like Facebook and encourages the use of hashtags like on Twitter.

Some are grumbling already their streams are full of promo. Well, yeah. Your 'friends' are authors, bloggers, and readers. They are talking and sharing about...books. I'm fine with that. And yes, the more popular authors are getting more exposure and shares. It's the way of the world. (One popular author already announced she made $100.00 on Tsu, yay for her)

I've friended or have been friended by many reviewers and bloggers on Tsu, a better connection than I ever had with them on FB or Twitter. If a blogger comes across my post about one of my books on sale for 99 cents, shares the post, I say mission accomplished.

One thing I will be doing different. I will not be letting the friend numbers get out of hand. I want a good mix of authors, bloggers, and readers. If I don't know a person and they are not involved in the romance world in some capacity, I won't be friending back. I've had some guy keep friending me after I declined 3 times. I just found the block button. Done. I am keeping a firm control on who I want in my circle. Wish I had done that with Facebook.

Thanks to Tsu, I am interacting with authors I lost track of on Facebook. Also, when you post on Tsu, you can also post on Twitter and Facebook at the same time with a click of a button. I like that as well.

So far Tsu is all right. I am cautious about it, they don't seem as intrusive as FB but who's to say when Tsu gets bigger they won't introduce their own draconian rules and regulations? They have signed up 1 million users in less than five weeks.

I will keep my eye on it so how it goes, post promo, pictures and recipes that catch my eye (and man candy) Keep it social enough, but keep my private life private, and have fun discussing books. It was all I ever wanted out of Facebook (and never seemed to accomplish). Willing to see if Tsu will deliver. I am willing to give it a go.

Well, 2014 is essentially over. Where did the time go? Time seems to be rushing along quickly year after year and some days it's like we can barely hold on for the ride!We have some exciting new additions to our blog this coming year. New authors whose posts are going to keep you entertained, buying books and wanting more! We're thrilled to welcome them all. You'll hear about all their book goodies soon!All
of here want to wish all of our readers the absolute best 2015!! And if
you're partying it up this evening, have a wonderful time. Travel safe!

Monday, December 29, 2014

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. As this is my last post of 2014, I want to wish you all the very best in 2015! Starting in January, I will be blogging here on the 12th of every month, and I am excited about all of the new Canadian romance authors joining us, too. :)

In 2015, I plan to finish many of the stories I've started, some part of a series, and others totally different than anything I've written before. Stay tuned...

Before I go, I want to tell you about a big sale going on right now. First of all, the titles of my futuristic dystopian GLBT series, The Underground, have all be reduced to 99¢ each at all e-tailers. You can find more information about them and buy links here.

Plus, I have several titles that are on sale for only 50¢ at Coffee Time Romance. You can find those all here.

Happy reading!

Author Bio:

Jessica E. Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotic. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.

When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.

Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.

Friday, December 26, 2014

Hi! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and rocked your presents around your tree. We tossed our artificial tree over this year for a real one out of my backyard - I have 4 acres, so it was easy to pick from the few green Spruce trees I have growing along our stream.

Squeeee! I got my Christmas present - a propane fed fireplace / stove for my writer's retreat so I can use the place more often in winter. Also had a surge protector put into the circuit breaker to help with the freaking lightning storms we always get. I hope you got all the presents you wanted and you had a wonderful day.

My naughty assistant Amelia snuck a Christmas Box Set sale out to my readers, so I am excited to extend the sale for a bit so you can catch it too.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Full disclosure, I recycled this post lol, but in my defense, it's been a crazy busy month :D

I'll admit, I am a Christmas fanatic. I love the glitz and tinsel and
tacky decorations. I adore shopping for special gifts--and jokes--for
my family. And I am a sucker for a great Christmas movie with feel good
moments and humor. Here's my top ten favorites:

1. Santa Vs. The Snowman – Funniest cartoon ever! I snicker like a fiend when the elves come out with their hot cocoa guns.
2. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
– A classic. I love it when Chevy Chase get’s that Hallelujah moment
with his lights. Now if I could just convince hubby to get on our roof
and truly light our own place up, lol.
3. Rise of the Guardians – Love Russian Santa with his tattoos. The imagination and animation in this movie is incredible.
4. Rudolph The Rednose Reindeer
– BUMBLE rules! This is a nostalgic one that always makes me think of
being kid and the excitement I used to feel as the holiday season
approached.
5. Santa Claus is Coming To Town – I love the music in this one and the story of Santa’s origin. And yes, I sing along, which annoys my kids to no end.
6. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (original cartoon) – A classic with great music. And while I don’t know the darned words, I fake it as I croon with the Who’s.
7. Arthur’s Christmas – The elf and his tape make for some lolol moments. I also love the high tech explanations. Fun to watch with the kids.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas – Because I’m strange it makes the list.
9. Home Alone – Am I the only mother who gets mad anyone could forget her baby? My kids love it, and every year I yell at the mother.
10. A Christmas Story
– Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra, lolol . My hubby loves this movie so much that when I
found a smaller version of the leg lamp, I had to buy it for him. It
has a place of pride in his mancave, lol.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Bestselling and award-winning
author Deborah Cooke has published over fifty novels and novellas, including
historical romances, fantasy romances, fantasy novels with romantic elements,
paranormal romances, contemporary romances, urban fantasy romances, time travel
romances and paranormal young adult novels. She writes as herself, Deborah Cooke, as Claire Delacroix, and
has written as Claire Cross. She is nationally
bestselling, #1 Kindle Bestselling, KOBO Bestselling, as well as a USA Today
and New York Times’ Bestselling Author. Her Claire Delacroix medieval romance, The
Beauty, was her first book to land on the New
York Times List of Bestselling Books.

Deborah was the
writer-in-residence at the Toronto Public Library in 2009, the first time TPL
hosted a residency focused on the romance genre, and she was honored to receive
the Romance Writers of America PRO Mentor of the Year Award in 2012.

Currently, she’s writing the Dragonfire series of paranormal romances
as Deborah Cooke, and the True Love Brides series
of medieval romances (with fantasy elements) as Claire Delacroix.

Deborah thinks a lot about
publishing and writing, and also knits too much. Read all about it, right here
on her blog.

Born and raised in Toronto, Kali now resides in the
exquisite eastern Ontario countryside where she enjoys the serenity of nature. When she isn't busy being the
married mother of two, certified trainer or counselor extraordinaire, she
shadows worlds of paranormal passion & intrigue.

Kali strives to create emotional, compelling stories and
characters you can't help but love, hate and cheer for. Captivated by her love
of dragons, gargoyles and everything paranormal, she pens these delightful
creatures into epic tales of romance and adventure and often infuses her
passions of martial arts, music and ironic twists even she didn’t foresee.

A good cup of tea with the crackling fire gets her creative
juices flowing in the wee hours of the night, when the house is quiet and she
can type away to her heart's desire.

Kayleigh
Malcom is a firm believer that all love is beautiful and everyone deserves a
Happily Ever After....well except for those involved with cancelling Firefly.
She's still holding a grudge over that one.

She's been
married to the same wonderful man for almost 20 years, has 2 beautiful teenage
daughters and a 95lb dog that thinks he's a lapdog. Living in the golden
horseshoe allows her the privilege of all the beautiful variety Canada has to
offer, and being 30 minutes from one of the best wine regions in the world is a
definite perk.

Sticking
with one genre is a talent she hasn't achieved yet and can be found creating
worlds as normal as our own or as fantastic as her dreams. Her characters have
to face real life challenges, as many of us do, but love always finds a way to
conquer all.

A
social media junkie, she can be found haunting many different sites and loves
to hear from her readers.

Though she
loves writing Texans with their slow drawls, Leah was born in Montreal, Quebec
and now lives in Ontario Canada with her college-sweetheart husband, two sons,
a Shih Tzu named Seamus who behaves like a cat and a cat named Turtle who
thinks he’s a dog. She loves escaping the ever-multiplying dust bunnies by
opening up her laptop to write about sexy heroes and the women who challenge
them.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Good morning and happy Tuesday!Today will be a fun and busy day. One I'm happy to celebrate with all of you. Since it is my birthday, I'm going to share gifts with some of our readers -- with a lil help from fellow CDN authors here at our blog.All you have to do is comment below, and tell me when YOUR birthday is! Easy peasy. Please also include your email address in your responses.Winners and prizes will be chosen at random.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Have you ever wondered how the characters from your favorite stories spend the holidays? Well, a while back, I interviewed Frey Berger, the sexy alien from my debut release, CELESTIAL SEDUCTION. And he just happened to reveal how he spent his very first Christmas on Earth. Enjoy!

Jessica: I’d like to welcome Frey Berger here to talk about how he celebrates the holidays. He is originally from the planet Ginnun and has had to make quite the adjustment learning Earth cultures.

Frey: Actually, it wasn’t that hard. I was trained by the Space Service to adapt to different cultures. It was my job to learn as much as I could about a planet before leaving for the next. Except, this time I never left the planet I was sent to observe. I left the Space Service instead.

Jessica [flummoxed by the gorgeous man in front of her]: Yes, you were a field informant for the Space Service. So, tell us what your first December was like on Earth.

Frey: Cold. I was dropped off in an open field just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on the first day of winter. Snow blew everywhere, and my contacts were late picking me up due to the weather.

When they finally arrived, I could barely move. Every part of me was frozen. They took me to my lodging, warmed me up and gave me a money card so that I could buy appropriate clothing. Of course, I had to perfect this human holographic image I wear on Earth first.

Getting said clothing was an adventure. I rushed to the nearest clothing store, part of what is called a mall, and searched for the items on the list I’d been given. What I didn’t expect was the chaos all around me. People shoved me out of the way with their bags and I even had a personal transport cart run over my foot. Somehow I escaped that store and ended out in the hallway, another crowded avenue. But through all of the pandemonium, I heard a loud, belly laugh and had to know where it came from. In the middle of a gathering of people, including many small children, a man in a red suit with a long, white beard sat smiling. And his joy seemed to rub off on those around him. So many others in the mall were wearing parts of the suit as well; hats and pants... When I came across a store selling the same suit, I bought one. After all, a coat, snowpants, hat, gloves and boots were on my list…

I walked around for five days in that outfit, kids coming up to me to tell me what they wanted the man named Santa Claus to bring them for Christmas. They seemed to know I was not the real Santa Claus but thought somehow I could relay their message to him. My Earth contacts arrived seven days later to see how I was adapting and laughed at my outfit. They told me Christmas was over and I had to find something else to wear. During my second shopping trip, they came with me and helped me to pick more “appropriate” clothing.

Jessica: Wow! Most people who live here avoid the malls during that time of year due to the bedlam. I couldn’t imagine what you must have gone through. So, how did you celebrate the holidays the following year?

Frey: Alone. I had just told my Mission Commander from the Space Service that I didn’t plan on returning to Ginnun, my home planet. Why would I return to a planet where people have no emotional connection to each other? Those I thought to be my friends stabbed me in the back. Sorry, that is still a bitter topic.

Jessica [wanting to give Frey a hug]: No worries. Although emotions can be bothersome sometimes, I can’t imagine living on a planet without them. So how do you plan on spending your holidays this year?

Frey: Well, hopefully in the company of a lovely lady named Carrie.

Jessica [groaning inside]: Can you tell us about Carrie?

Frey: She’s a paediatric nurse, has the most amazing blue eyes, and is my date for tomorrow night.

Jessica [trying to stop starring at Frey’s own amazing eyes]: And how long have you known this Carrie?

Frey: I’ve never met her. Tomorrow will be our first date, but I plan on it being the first of many. She needs what I can give her, and I hope she’ll want me just the same.

Jessica [still groaning inside, but wishing Frey the best]: Okay, one last question. What is the one thing you cannot do without on the holidays?

Frey: That’s easy. It’s two things really. The first is the red suit I bought that first year here. I always wear it at the Christmas party for the construction company I started when I first arrived here. I love seeing the joy on the children’s faces when they sit on my knee telling me their holiday wishes. And second is the Marshmallow Squares one of my crew makes. She brings them in for everyone to try, but only during the holidays. They’re a mixture of peanut butter and mini marshmallows.

Jessica [stomach rumbling]: Sounds delicious. Do you think you can get me the recipe?

Frey: Sure, I’ll send it to you. Now, is this over, because I need to get to work?

Jessica [standing]: Yes, thank you so much Frey for allowing this interview. I hope your date with Carrie goes well.

Frey: Thank you as well. It’s nice to find someone not afraid to talk to an alien. I hope Carrie will feel the same way.

Jessica: Will you let me know how it goes?

Frey: Sure, I’ll let you know when I sent you the recipe. I’ve really got to go. Bye.

And here's the recipe he sent me... How the date went? Well, you'll have to read Celestial Seduction to find out. ;)

Marshmallow Squares

1 pkg butterscotch chipits

¼ cup margarine

½ cup peanut butter

2 cups mini marshmallows

Melt first three ingredients over boiling water (double boiler).

Once melted, mix in marshmallows.

Put in square cake pan and let set in refrigerator.

Celestial Seduction

Sci-Fi Erotic Romance

At the end of his obligated commitment to the Space Service, Frey Berger decides to stay on Earth to further experience human emotions rather than return to Ginnun where his intended has already mated with another. Looking for real love and someone to accept him for what he is, Frey enlists in Madame Evangeline’s popular dating service. Although he does not understand the concept of a one-night stand, he hopes to find his perfect mate.

Carrie Cooper’s husband divorced her for someone who could provide him with children, leaving her with little self-confidence and no desire to let a man hurt her again. Her best friend convinces her to join a dating service, claiming Carrie needs to get laid, while not winding up with a broken heart since her date requires no commitment after the night is over.

Although several misunderstandings nearly derail them before the date has even begun, Carrie and Frey end up becoming closer than they ever believed possible. Still, Frey will need to convince Carrie that her perfect mate isn’t human at all, and that one night can lead to a forever love.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

“Come out, come out, wherever
you are,” he sang, his hand straying to the holster with the gun he
kept strapped under his leather vest.

A rustle in a bale of hay at
the far end of the barn snared his attention, and he almost drew his
gun, but stayed the motion at the last minute. Good thing, because the
head that popped out belonged to a little girl and not the enemy.

Blonde
hair in fat curls framing chubby cheeks made the giant green eyes
staring at him all the more striking. And freaky. Because she stared.
And stared. Yet she didn’t say a word.

First impulse? Run from the
adorable little girl. Instead, of fleeing from her deadly cuteness, he
channeled his sarge and barked, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”

Her eyes widened, and with a squeak of fear, she dove back into the hay.
Brilliant.
Just brilliant. He’d scared a little girl. As if he didn’t suffer
enough guilt, now he felt like a total seal. Which rhymed with heel. But
seals were dumber than his foot.

And barking at a tiny little girl definitely ranked as dumb.

I should just walk away before I make things worse. But given her age and the fact there wasn’t another adult around…

Sigh.
He gentled his tone. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I didn’t mean to sound so
gruff. You took me by surprise, which, hey, is pretty impressive
considering I used to be in the army.”

Not a creature stirred, not even a child.

How about a promise? “I won’t hurt you.”

Nothing.

“Does anyone know you’re here?” In other words, was there an adult nearby freeing him to escape this uncomfortable situation?

A slight rustle of hay answered him but didn’t clarify the situation.

Another heavy sigh left him. “Come on, sweetie, I can’t leave you here alone. Reid would have my a—um, butt. Talk to me.”

She
tilted her head and perused him. What was it with certain members of
the opposite sex? Where did they learn that ability to give you a look?
You know the one. The look that made you want to squirm, knowing you
were probably coming up short in their estimation.

Except, he
didn’t fail this time. As if seeing something that satisfied her, the
little blonde cherub nodded before lisping, “Yes.”

“What can I help you with, sweetie?”

“Not me. Santa.”

A
frown creased his brow. “Santa?” He almost said, “You mean Earl?”
before it occurred to him the little girl might not yet know that the
big, burly geezer was playing the part. She was still of an age where
magic seemed possible and big fat guys on sleighs could and would
deliver presents.

“I heard you talking. You need to find Rudolph. Santa needs him for his sleigh.”

Oh
crap on a stick. The little girl had heard him discussing the whole
Rudolph thing with Crystal, and she’d drawn her own youthful conclusion.
How to explain without revealing anything?

“Sorry, sweetie, I wish I could help.” You could, chided his conscience. You’re just choosing not to.Shut up, he snarled at his own mind. Bad enough when Reid and Crystal guilted him. He didn’t need his own thoughts to add to the pile.

How
could one pair of eyes look so sad? Ack. Kyle almost made the sign of
the cross in front of her because surely she had some kind of magic at
work because he almost said the most ridiculous thing. He almost told
her not worry, that Rudolph would be there.

Never!

“Why don’t you climb out of that pile of hay and come with me? We’ll go find your parents. They’re probably worried.”

She shrank from him.

For
some reason, this caused a painful pang in him. She was too young to
show such fear. Yet he knew that look. He’d borne it when he was a kid
and his father came home in one of his moods. “Oh, sweetie, don’t be
scared. I won’t hurt you.”

“But you’re big.”

“Yes I am. And strong.” Hmm, maybe he shouldn’t have pointed that out.

She nodded. “You are, and scary,” she added.

“Me?” He grabbed at his chest in mock horror. “Is this your way of telling me I’m ugly?”

“In some cases, probably, but not this time. Why, I’m the nicest guy you’ll ever meet.”
“Malcolm said he was nice too, but he wasn’t. He was mean to my mama, and me.”

Wouldn’t Kyle love to teach this Malcolm a
lesson about treating a woman right? “Well, I’m not this Malcolm guy,
and I can tell you right now, I’m never mean to the ladies.” Even
stubborn ones. “And I’ll tell you something else, if that Malcolm dude
were to walk in here right now and try anything, I’d totally kick his
ass.” Whoops on the language.

Thankfully she didn’t seem to notice. “You’re a knight?”

Almost
did he snicker, but she seemed so serious. He held it in. “Knight in
tattooed armor, sweetie. So don’t you worry that pretty little head of
yours. No one will so much as fart in your direction while I’m around.”

She giggled. “Farts don’t hurt.”

“But they sure stink,” he said with a smile and a moue of distaste.

Apparently
it took a bodily function jest for her to decide he was trustworthy.
She emerged from her pile of hay, clutching a ragged stuffed animal in a
chubby fist. When he held out his hand, he expected her to clasp it.
Instead, she tucked into his reach and lifted her arms.

Despite
him not spending much time around children, Kyle recognized the
universal gesture for ‘pick me up’. He did, the little girl’s weight
feather-light even with her jacket and boots.

“Where to, sweetie?”

“Mama’s working on the parade for Santa.”

“Then
let’s go find her.” Maybe he could also get some clues on this Malcolm
fellow, who seemed to think it was cool to threaten women. Kyle wanted
to speak with the guy—with his fists.

Mission #737: Find this Malcolm dude and teach him a lesson. A Christmas gift to the little angel in his arms.

COMING December 16th, 2014

Move over bears, and moose, there’s a new rack in town.

Pre-order @

PLEASE NOTE: This Christmas novella originally appeared in the anthology, A Kiss of Christmas Magic.

Damn
it, a man had his pride and a caribou a certain majestic presence, all
of which could wind up ruined if he abased himself to play a
simple-minded reindeer in the town’s Christmas parade.

No way was he wearing damned tinsel in his antlers.

Like hell was he sporting a red nose and pulling a sleigh.

But he changes his mind when he meets the woman in charge of the event.

Single
mom, Crystal, is doing her best to offer her daughter the best
Christmas ever. It’s their first in Kodiak Point, and she’s not about to
let some vain jerk ruin it for her little girl. If playing dirty is
what it takes…then bring on the Christmas games.

As Crystal and
Kyle butt heads—and lips—they discover more than goodwill this holiday
season.

Friday, December 5, 2014

With holidays looming upon us, I really wonder where the year has gone.

This year has been a complete write-off where as productivity is concerned, but I'm ecstatic at what prospects 2015 has to offer. My spreadsheet is ready to go, and I have several different projects that I expect to release next year at some point.

The first of four releases is coming February 16th and it's the re-release of A Gift From Fate.

After that, I'm thinking of another paranormal novella for May, but I have to wait and see how much work it requires and if I can find an editor in enough time. So this will be my next one if all works out.

I'm hoping to get two full length novels out next year, but I'll settle for one if that ends up being the case.

In addition to all this madness, I'm also assisting my chef husband to set up a table at a local farmers/flea market. If you're ever in the neighborhood of Sault Ste. Marie, you need to check out Mill Market Square. It's kind of like Kensington Market in Toronto, but very scaled down.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

NOTE: this is a re-release/reissue of Christmas Memories (briefly pubbed in 2011)

This short story makes me all warm and fuzzy inside as I harken back to a lot of my own Christmas memories. It is short, but well worth the 99 cents! Hope you check it out On sale at All Romance and Amazon only for the month of December -links below~~Karyn GerrardBLURB:

Jimmy Doyle is at the top of his game, but his life is empty. Karin has resigned herself to a Christmas alone in her wilderness lodge. A spur-of-the-moment holiday trip brings the devastatingly handsome Jimmy to her doorstep on Christmas Eve. Memories of a past Christmas haunt him and he is surrounded by joy and holiday anticipation, and a searing hot attraction he can’t deny. Will that Christmas feeling be enough to heal a painful past?

EXCERPT: (PG)

Jimmy was already sorry he came. The two hour flight, the three hour drive—and for what? He was in the middle of nowhere. The trip seemed like a good idea looking out over the balcony of his downtown Toronto penthouse. Some quiet time, some poker, and maybe some turkey sandwiches with lots of Miracle Whip.

He should have stayed in Winnipeg and taken a suite at the Sheraton. He hadn’t brought his boots either. Idiot. He was standing with his feet ice-cold in the snow, much like the Grinch. He felt like the damned Grinch. He had the overwhelming desire to run around and pull down all the outdoor Christmas lights, wreaths, and other Christmas crap evident on the property. Jimmy remembered a homemade turkey dinner was included. Just great,and he, the Grinch himself, would carve… he snorted aloud, not finishing the thought.

“Did you say something?”

He glanced down at the woman in the parka. Clear, beautiful blue eyes stared at him in amusement. Shit, she must have heard him. She took off her woolen mitten and held out a slim, feminine hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Karin Kellegher.”

He looked at the hand then back at this Karin. She was pretty, perhaps not a raving beauty, but attractive. She had dark blond hair, pulled back tightly in a pony-tail. The shade reminded him of caramel. Her skin appeared crème brûlée against the dazzling white of the snow. There was a smattering of freckles across her pert nose, which was red from the cold. Her breath puffed out in icy huffs. He took her offered hand. “Jimmy Doyle.”

****

Karin was shameless. She headed toward the most handsome man of the group and introduced herself. Jimmy Doyle looked familiar, but he did have the generic tall, dark, and handsome look. He looked like any number of the beyond-gorgeous men who graced magazine covers. His hair was black and wavy, not too short or too long. His jaw was rugged and framed by chiseled, high cheekbones. His dark blue eyes were a color that could not be natural, contacts she thought cynically. When they shook hands his large palm all but swallowed hers. A bolt of warmth shot up her arm from the contact. Wow. Karin glanced down. His hand was beautiful, but masculine, with long fingers and lots of veins. Why she found his hand attractive, she had no idea. She slowly scanned his broad chest and even broader shoulders. He was wearing a winter leather coat, but he still must be feeling the cold, as the temperature was ten degrees below zero.

Her gaze met his face again. Oh yes. Way, way handsome. Jimmy Doyle knew he was gorgeous too. She could see the amused glint in his eye. She pulled her hand out of his tight grasp at last and walked away. The loss of his potent touch was disturbing. Forget him, he was here for drinking and male bonding, nothing more.

Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She whiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few best-sellers under her belt,

Karyn loves to write in different genres and time periods, though historicals are her favorite. As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.

Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving forward.